songerein | This Flame That Burns Inside of Me

Entry tags:

This Flame That Burns Inside of Me | OTA

Who: Soldier: 76 & Anyone
Which: Open Log | March Catch-All
Where: Farmlands, Wildlands, room attached to The Wild Harvest
What: Helping clean up the farm lands for the farmers, falling back in to old habits of spending a lot of time out in the wildlands and visiting bees, and a flower surprise that 76 has brought back to his room that's attached to The Wild Harvest pub.
Warnings: N/A, will add as any come up

Days in the Sun
A.
[76 was no stranger to farm work, far from it; he was born and raised helping out on the arm his family owned on the outskirts of Bloomington. Wasn't a big one, but enough so that he always had farm chores to do every day growing up before and after school. Weekends, too. Always had free time with that, too.

Reason that he was more than eager to get out there, burn some of the anxious energy out of himself in cleaning up the planting fields and mend broken fences to make sure none of the cows or other grazing animals kept could get in to them that easily. Also mean shoring and patching up fencing for the fields those animals would be let out in to as well.

There was a yetox close by where he was currently working on clearing a field. Grazing on a pile of weeds he'd gathered and gave to it. Still wearing a harness, but the topless wagon it was hitched to was closer to 76, filled with other debris he'd been collecting already.]

Hope you've got multiple empty stomachs, big guy. You're goin to be eating well and burning it off today.

B.
[The yetox that was out with him was currently resting in the sun, while 76 himself had spread out some fabric to sit in the shade of the wagon itself, checking over the amount of nails he had and the condition of the hammer. Just beside him was a covered basket.]

Hey.

[Passing by? There was that gruff voice-]

If you feel like it, should sit down and relax a bit. Even if not working it's quite the walk to get out here. Got a bit of food and drink. Rest up for a minute, won't kill ya.

Shade of a Forest
[Was keeping himself far more bus than usual, more so after- well, felt like a good two months or more where he just couldn't get out here like he wanted. Given the work he was doing out by the farms? He was taking it a little more easy. Not camping out in the Wildlands as he had been, but it wasn't stopping him from re-visiting some places.

Been a while since he'd gotten a good eye on the dreamhoney bees after all.

Still would be a bit of a walk, stopping by other areas in the Wildlands between each hive he knew of.]

Should probably see what I can hunt-up to bring back to the Harvest with me.

[On occasion? A rather large dreamotion made wolf would be walking either alongside or a little ahead of 76. Blue eyes scanning the area and ears on the swivel. Sometimes there'd be two more to make it three total. Moving together as a unit and sometimes one scouting ahead if something caught attention.

Rather peaceful looking should they approach someone, at least.]

Thorns & All For A Blazing Dawn
[Once the second half of the month hits, and when not working in and around the Wild Harvest itself, 76 could be found in a room connected to the pub itself and the garden as well. The walls of windows that could be easily looked in to from either passing by or from the garden itself was blocked off by various plants in pots and some rows of very colorful jaws that acted almost like stained glass by how they were arranged; a rainbow of colors and patterns. Both the plants and filled jars gave him enough privacy, so he felt.

But he was sitting on one of the cushioned benched with a pot on the table, what almost looked like a golden rose bush with glass-like blooms and buds sat before him. A gloved hand cradling one of the blooms carefully, blue eyes narrowing as he'd taken off the tactical visor part of his mask once he'd gotten it in and sat down.]

How the hell did these come from me?

[He'd gone back out, looking for the area he'd finally been pulled free and, well. 76 had found a single rose bush, just a bit below his knee in height. Looked like it had actually grown on the trip back.]

What does this even mean.

(OOC: Feel free to hit me up/PM me if nothing here catches interest. I'll also be putting some planned threads in here throughout the month.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Sholmes takes a backwards step, appropriately stunned by the beast. Okay, then. Why not? He's already seen chocolate sculptures animate, the moon is missing, and Kazuma has come down with an acute case of the nightmare snakes. What's a dragon on top of it all?

He straightens his posture and clears his throat. ]

A pleasure, Miss Blue. [ He says this with a cheerful lilt and another polite tip of his hat. He's not about to skimp on manners for a creature as regal as a dragon.

Soldier 76's last comment brings something immediately to mind: his conversation with Kazuma. Was this the man whose nightmares caused so much trouble? He glances at Mikotoba--the doctor seems to trust him well enough--but Sholmes is given to more paranoia.

Luckily this American seems like he wouldn't mind a pointed question: ]

Injury, you say. Of the nightmare variety?

[The dragon's ears swiveled, coming out of the feathery fluff that tended to hide them just below horns, trilling with a bounce on front claws, head dipping and lifting back up in her own greeting. Then she was content in resting her head on 76's shoulder, easily reaching it.

Of course with a bit of a nuzzle, the small bottle of colorful origami cranes fell in to sight from where it had been safely tucked under his jacket, still hanging around his neck.]

She'll be an extra pair of eyes and ears during the trek- can't be too careful when heading deep in to the Wildlands. [A hand rested on top of Blue's head then, gloved fingers idly rubbing along the scales at her forehead.

His head tipped, easier to tell he was looking towards Sholmes when he spoke then.]

Yes and no- I was attacked out here by the Ents that once lived in the cave we'll be going to. They were wiped out shortly after that by the one who discovered me bleeding out in the snow and close to death. [Better to to hold back the sort of dangers that could be around.] Only have a working theory on why they attacked me then, but hadn't even looked my way before, and it does involved nightmare energy.

You could say I've been suffering a condition similar to that of someone else.

[He couldn't know how much Sholmes might've been told of Kazuma's condition, so he left it vague. Was hard to spot the lingering effects given how 76 dressed, but there was no hiding the glowing blue streaks peppering his hair.

Related or not, everything else was well covered.]

[Indeed, Yujin's also taken note of those blue streaks. He simply doesn't know what to make of them. It doesn't strike him as an after effect of nightmare energy, which is why he hasn't commented on it. Dreamotion, perhaps, or simply a fashion statement. What he also takes note of now is the bottle of origami cranes. It brings a light smile to his face for a moment, to know that Susato will be protecting 76 as well. Yujin's own good luck charm is in the chest pocket of his suit's jacket, below the overcoat. He'd never leave home without it.

Regardless, he doesn't speak. There's nothing to add, really, nor to question. He's sure Sholmes will make the connection to the 'someone else' without him.]

Edited (oop, missing word!) 2022-03-10 11:34 (UTC)

[ Ent? Unfortunately, Sholmes comes from a time where the term isn't in the cultural lexicon. All he can conclude is that they're a potential threat, and enough so to give this seasoned soldier trouble. In any case, the dragon is a welcome (if unexpected) ally and he's glad he brought his trusty revolver, although he only has about twelve rounds. In a pinch, he could certainly mix a few of his chemicals to dangerous effect ...

And thankfully, they all have a little help from Susato. Her charms are becoming quite prolific, such that he wonders if her fingers are sore from folding so many tiny cranes! ]

That "someone else" is Mr. Asogi, no doubt. [ The pieces are falling into place. ] His symptoms are quite striking. It seems you avoided the worst of it, Mr. Seventy-Six.

[ He resumes walking, offering Blue a hand for a sniff as he passes. ]

And as I understand it, the cave to which we're headed is home to a valuable resource--those coveted blossoms that inhibit the effects of this nightmare energy ... ?

You'd be correct, yeah. Last time I pulled him out of it- this time, well. [His head tipped, enough to tell he was looking Yujin's way for a moment before gloved hands reached for his mask. There was a sound of it unhooking from the rest of the gear that went around the back of his head and along his jawline.

Removing the mask showed those blue glowing streaks were also in facial hair. Blue eyes glowing in the bit of shadows cast from tree limbs above and fire-light, pupils slit. Dark circles under his eyes as well.

As lips parted there were larger and sharp canines visible when he spoke.] A bit different, but there's something lingering.

Still not as much as his, but I reckon it has to do with fully turning beyond recognition, given the description I was given for what I turned in to.

[That mask kept in a gloved hand, just for the moment.

Blue nudged the end of her snout in that hand, a warm huff likely felt after taking in the scent. Yes, good.]

The cave Kazuma and I initially found the Glowing Dawn flowers in, yeah- the two of us named it. They, too, were wiped out and I don't know if any had a chance to grow back, or if anything was left for them to be able to. [He'd not had a chance to go back, and he'd be hesitant for good reason.] All the more reason for a venture to see.

[Yujin watches with an attentive gaze when the mask is removed, and where the blue streaks were still ambiguous in origin, these newly-revealed details are... less so. Both the altered pupils and the canines are rather monstrous in appearance- similar to Kazuma's transformation. It's dreadful, really. Still, 76 implies that the symptoms are receding and Yujin will have to take his word for it, then.]

Indeed, I'm quite curious to see what's become of the cave after all that time. Thankfully, even if there is nothing left, it's not the only location where these flowers were grown. They seem to be doing quite well in the greenhouse, at least for now. And then... [He pauses for a moment, choosing his next words carefully.] Well, there is a variation of the Glowing Dawn in existence, or so I've heard.

[Kazuma told him, to be precise. Even brought one to their home. Yujin doesn't know where the rest of them are at the moment, though; whether they're even still alive. They're clearly not on 76's body anymore.]

[ Sholmes' proximity to Blue also affords him a better view of 76's unmasked features. Underneath the jarring, nightmarish traits he can see more evidence of the man's experience: the hard lines and sharp edges carved deep by a life of relentless trouble. Plenty of nightmares of a different sort, to be sure.

He can't help but wonder what fascinating stories the man could tell. Perhaps something to discuss later over a cold pint ... ]

Glowing Dawn. Yes, an apt name for something capable of warding off such terrors. [ He nods. Sholmes always approves of a bit of poetry. ] But the original crop was destroyed, you say? By these “ent” creatures, or … ? Perhaps by someone--or something--else who cannot abide their existence?

[ Kazuma’s mention of the Story Eater comes to mind. If it would devour the moon, surely it would have a vested interest in destroying other threats to its stock of nightmares. ]

They were destroyed by the same person that destroyed the ents living there- anything and everything living within the cave was wiped out. [The skulls had only been one piece of proof, given how well he knew the man. Having one of the flower's thrown at him as well had been another.

Reaper had stepped up to that promise of a threat, and perhaps they were fortunate that he hadn't died or it would have been more than the cave and everything within it gone for.] They didn't know about the flowers, what they did, until after.

Still, leaving him in Mikotoba's care seemed the best bet given the circumstances at the time. I'm glad they're doing well.

[The only reason 76 couldn't make himself be mad at Reaper about it, much as he had wanted to be.

76 lifted the mask, snapping it back in to place, the visor lighting up briefly as the connection there was made. Head tilted towards Yujin then-]

I think there may be- I, uh, found a small rose-like bush, had a few blooms and buds on it. In the area where I'd finally been pulled out of the Noctaere state. [How else could he describe that?] I've collected it, not that long ago. Seems to be growing well.

Doubled in size. Can see it for yourself after this if you're up for it.

[Yujin's just going to... not say anything about Reaper. To some degree, the less Sholmes knows about that, the better. And usually, Yujin wouldn't hide anything from his partner, but there's so many people involved in this that it's a bit too complicated to tackle.

And hmm. Kazuma mentioned that the flowers had been growing on 76's body, so either they aren't talking about the same thing, or 76 is actively covering up where they were found. Or perhaps 76 had been so out of it at the time that he didn't consciously process the flowers as being on him and they were somehow moved to the ground later? Well, if there's more Yujin needs to know about it, he's sure 76 will tell him at some point. So he nods his head with a smile.]

Yes, I'd like that. I'm quite curious. [If nothing else, he can compare the flowers on this bush to the sample Kazuma had brought to their home. That would clarify at least some things.]

[ Well, there goes his conspiracy theory. As much as he wants to continue pressing for details, he makes a mental note to follow up on this mysterious and destructive individual later. At the very least, bully a few more information out of Yujin.

Neither of the other men seem to consider the person to be an imminent threat on this excursion. ]

Well, we have much ground to cover, gentlemen. [ Someone is still antsy as ever. ] Allow me to behold this cave with my own eyes and, even if no Glowing Dawn remains, we may yet mine it for equally valuable clues.

Consider it a trip after this one then, since it's in my room attached to the Wild Harvest. [Which was part of Kazuma's own home, and again which was near the Mikotoba treehouse; really, easily seen to.

A nod, and it was easy for 76 to pick up a pace in knowing where they were going, Blue taking up step beside him rather than hurrying on off ahead. Some concern on her own part given what happened last time she'd seen him off in the direction of the cave under a waterfall.]

You're right, Sholmes. [Easy to get side-tracked, but the sooner they got to the cave, the better.] Hopefully something of value is find- more information we find, the better for growing and working with these flowers.

There have still been deer with the flower growing off of them, or so I've seen, at the very least.

[As they walked, Yujin tries to stick to 76's other side rather than falling behind too far. Still, he knows Sholmes might want to stick closer to 76 and for that reason, he leaves a spot open for him.]

Where exactly are the flowers growing on these deer? Their bodies? Or their antlers, perhaps? [It's another one of those things Yujin hasn't actually seen with his own eyes- only heard about.]

[ Yujin's question, and really, the entire situation at hand briefly shocks Sholmes into a moment of awe. Truly, he's been dropped into one of the surreal Lewis Caroll novels Iris preferred for her bedtime fare. Equal parts fanciful and ominous. ]

A stag wreathed in mystical flowers? Ha! Sounds to me like quarry worthy of the Wild Hunt! [ Sholmes' usual long strides are curtailed by the uneven ground and occasional undergrowth. He grunts as a reaching bramble rakes his trouser leg. ] And no doubt capturing one may prove to be a similarly rowdy affair.

... Unless, of course, Miss Blue here can double as a sighthound.

[Fortunately 76 was good for walking and talking-]

Both, actually. [He gestured with a gloved hand as he spoke.] It grows like fur along their sides and backs, but also hangs from antlers. I don't now if that's just a thing with some of the animals here, since I've seen all sorts that have different plants growing off them- even mushrooms.

[His head still made sure to tip, all the easier to tell who he was speaking with when it couldn't be easily seen where he was lookin thanks to his visor.]

What I hunted mostly when I camped out here- not always specifically them, but other such deer with other plants growing off them. [Blue went a little ahead of them then, once she got the idea of where they were going. Still remaining to a side as not to block 76's vision of the path ahead, well trained in that-

76 made sure his pace could be well kept up with, the armor of his boots protecting legs from the underbrush.] I will say that those with the Glowing Dawn growing on them? It seems to give their meat it's properties as well, protects them from being corrupted by nightmare energy. Other beasts turn from it and rot a bit, but they don't seem to.

[He gestured between Blue and Sholmes then.]

She can hunt them all on her own, and proved as such when she dropped one off at the Mikotoba's door essentially while I was staying with them. [A look towards Yujin-] Sorry about that, by the way. She wanted to help make sure I was fed well, I think.

Still, she's a good hunting partner. Reason I tend to take her out here with me often. Some of those deer? Grow far, far bigger than the usual buck and maybe they are fair game for the Wild Hunt.

[Yujin raised a hand to his chin as he mulled the matter over. The flowers growing on animals had its protective properties pervade their flesh? Certainly, that implied a possibility that eating those specific animals would in turn transfer the protection to whoever ate them. However, it depended on whether the stomach's acid would have a damaging effect on the properties. They'd have to run some experiments. Furthermore, it seemed to confirm a hypothesis Kazuma had offered; that the ents had planted the flowers on 76 to help him.

He snaps out of his thoughts again when 76 addresses him.]

Oh, no, that wasn't a problem at all. A bit startling, certainly, but nothing we couldn't handle.

[ Much like his partner, Sholmes' mind latches onto that juicy bit of information and begins gnawing away. Unique chemical properties? Or is that too mundane? Maybe something more ephemeral. Something beyond the physical sciences as he understands them? This dreamotion energy that pervades this world ... ?

The thoughts flow until he's distracted by the mental image of the poor Mikotobas greeted with the grisly sight of a fresh deer carcass on their doorstep. He can't suppress a chuckle at the thought. ]

So cats aren't the only creatures wont to provide their masters with fresh-caught morsels. [ He watches the dragon dart ahead through the forest with ease. ] Pray, Mr. Seventy-Six, what are the chances that Miss Blue can bag another floral deer on this excursion? It would be useful to have a fresh specimen for full analysis.

Susato did mention she took what you and she couldn't use at home to the Harvest, at least. [With all the times he'd fed Blue off of whatever he had caught? 76 wasn't really all that surprised she had wanted to do the same in her worry over his condition at the time; reason she was sticking as close as she was now as well. Only time she fully went out of sight was when she was circling above or off to hunt when she knew he'd tucked down for a moment.

At the moment she looked as if she were playing with the bit of light filtering through the thickening canopy above, the trees and underbrush growing a bit thicker the further they ventured in. Wouldn't be too long until they came across the stream at least-

He nodded.]

Rather high, given they likely aren't too skittish given not too many come out this far just to hunt. I know where they tend to gather to graze, given all of the time I have spent out here myself. [Had to do something with all the spare time on hand, once he was on the mend.] Take it you'd like one of the Glowing Dawn variety specifically, yeah?

Once we find the stream that the waterfall above the cave feeds, we're likely to come across some.

[Leave it to Sholmes to already be thinking ahead. And he was right to request it; a good look at one of these deer could provide some valuable insight into how these flowers connected with living beings, and vice versa.]

Excellent. Even if we end up learning nothing from these deer, at least we'll have some prime venison to take home with us. [It's not entirely a joke, but it is meant to keep a lighthearted air between them.]

[ As a city-dweller, Sholmes is duly impressed by the 76's rustic knowledge. Was that purely from his days as a soldier? Or did he often have to fend for himself this way? He certainly seemed like the lone wolf type. Curiouser and curiouser!

But as they walk, Sholmes is more than happy to pile onto Yujin's banter: ]

This is all so perfectly rugged. I have never experienced the distinctly masculine honor of returning home from the hunt, laden with game! [ He might give Blue proper credit. ] All I've snared are criminals, and I find them quite inedible.

Wouldn't hurt to field dress it- that way if it isn't too much for either of you to watch and learn, the insides can be examined and it will keep better for the walk back. [Knew a thing or two just from trips with his father and other family members- basic training once he hit the army and the second course for the Soldier Enhancement Program didn't hurt either.

His head tipped when he started hearing running water, a little whistle made as Blue followed direction and moved off the path to hit the stream. The water was odd, the light from above causing it to reflect some transparent and light pastel shades.

Took to walking alongside it, headed for the source.]

Some of it isn't that different from tracking down people; looking for sign, following track. Can even spot things like broken branches and disturbed areas of ground to learn more about what you're tracking. [He definitely applied hunting tactics to people sometimes.

Came in handy.]

[The field dressing sounds perfect, in Yujin's opinion. When it comes to examining insides, he knows quite a bit more than most would. And certainly, he's specialized in human bodies over animals, but some things are universal in any mammal. If there's nothing out of the ordinary to be seen in the deer's organs, that in itself is also an interesting clue.

But the water catches Yujin's eye and as they walk alongside the stream, he can't quite stop looking at it. The pastel shades are beautiful. Even so, he's listening to the conversation.]

As luck would have it, Sholmes is an expert at those sort of observations.

Quite so. People are not so different from animals. In fact, I often find them even more careless--

[ The stream gives Sholmes pause; his long legs fold into a crouch and he leans one way, then the other, observing the opalescent refraction--first through his own eyes, then through his goggles--cycling through lenses with a series of clicks.

Finally, he pulls his leather bag around, pops it open and retrieves an empty vial. This is dipped into the surface of the water before, almost as an afterthought, he reaches down to pinch some silt from the stream bed. He adds this to his sample before corking it tightly.

Sholmes shakes the extra water from his hand and rubs his wet fingertips together under his nose, testing for both viscosity and notable scent. ]

Mr. Seventy-Six, where is this water's source? The cave in question?

[76 did stop walking at least once he noticed the interest taken in the stream- and Sholmes stopping completely to take a sample. He supposed he had just gotten used to seeing it from all the trips taken out here. Blue had been curious about it the first time, and he'd certainly noticed the odd coloration that wasn't just a trick of the light and river stones that covered the bed.

Took the time to see if he could spot a little sign of any deer passing by recently while he spoke-]

More or less, yeah. A waterfall above the entrance of the cave -the waterfall is what has kept the entrance hidden- is what feeds this stream. From what I can tell from my times spent in the cave, that waterfall has to be coming from an underground stream somewhere in the cave system itself that's routed itself above it. [This is what kept the Glowing Dawns hydrated, the cave moist, from what 76 had figured.

Sholmes would find the water had a very faint and almost mint like scent, was cold to the touch, and otherwise had a normal natural stream water feel.] Which, from my best guess, means there's an underground spring in there somewhere, too.

[Water which springs from underground, flows upwards through a cave and then circles back around to hide it from view... There's certainly something very beautiful and poetic to that idea. Even more so in a world of dreams. Yujin's gaze follows the river upstream, but there isn't anything to be seen just yet.]

Hmmm, indeed. If there is a spring, I'd like to see it. This very same water may have been feeding the Glowing Dawn inside the cave as well, and if it holds certain unique properties to it, I may need to attempt watering some of the flowers in the greenhouse with it.

[ Sholmes nods at Yujin's suggestion, reaching into his bag again to pull out what looks like an old pickle jar. Probably because it is one: he'd taken the liberty of raiding the Wild Harvest for containers, both for this journey and to collect samples elsewhere around Songerein. Unfortunately, he had to eat a lot of miscellaneous condiments in the process and is now paying the price in diabolical heartburn.

Once the jar is full, he returns both samples to his bag and rises to his feet, signalling he's ready to continue. ]

This is a most interesting development! It could very well be that the properties are not inherent to the flowers themselves, but rather gleaned from this spring.

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